Ferries from Thessaloniki: routes & destinations 2026
One ferry route leaves Thessaloniki for the North Aegean, calling at Lemnos, Lesbos, Chios and Samos. Here you'll find which day and time the ship departs, how long the journey takes and how to plan your arrival at the port.
Ferries from Thessaloniki
- Destinations
- 4
- Ferry companies
- 1
- Tickets from
- €23
Destinations from Thessaloniki
| Route | Travel time | Type | Ferry companies | from | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thessaloniki to Chios | 13h 15m – 16h 45m | Conventional |  | €36 | Schedule → |
| Thessaloniki to Lemnos | 5.5 hours – 7h 15m | Conventional | | €23 | Schedule → |
| Thessaloniki to Lesvos | 10h 5m – 13h 15m | Conventional | | €36.50 | Schedule → |
| Thessaloniki to Samos | 16h 10m – 20h 35m | Conventional | | €41 | Schedule → |
Port information
- Passenger terminal: ‘Makedonia’, at the Port of Thessaloniki (ThPA), in a renovated building about 500 m from the city centre.
- Distances: about 1 km from the railway station and about 16 km from Thessaloniki ‘Macedonia’ Airport.
- Parking: spaces at the passenger terminal and at Gates 6 and 7. Car park P3 (Gate 7) has 156 spaces, is open 24 hours with an hourly charge, and is entered from 26th Oktovriou Street.
- When to arrive: the ship usually departs at 21:30 in the evening or 16:00 in the afternoon, depending on the season. Be there at least 1–1.5 hours beforehand, and earlier if you have a car.
- Ferry company: Blue Star Ferries.
- Destinations: Lemnos (Myrina), Lesbos (Mytilene), Chios, Samos (Vathy, Karlovasi).
- Before you leave: check the departure time and port on your ticket, as the timetable changes with the season.
Ferries from Thessaloniki in 2026: how the route works
Thessaloniki is not a hub like Piraeus. Sailings are few, weekly and overnight, and all are operated by Blue Star Ferries. One ship leaves Thessaloniki and calls at the islands in turn, so your destination determines how long you spend on board and when you arrive.
The islands with a direct connection from Thessaloniki are Lesbos, Chios, Samos and Lemnos. There is no direct service to the Cyclades or the Dodecanese. To reach them you will need to go via Piraeus or Rafina, and a flight or a long-distance coach may then be the more practical option.
Destinations, journey times and indicative prices
Lemnos: the shortest crossing
Lemnos is the first stop. Departing at around 21:30, the ship reaches Myrina in the early hours, after roughly 5.5 hours. Searches for summer 2026 showed fares from about €23 for deck class. The service does not run at the same frequency all year. One source lists sailings from early March to early June and from early September to the end of December, while for July a Sunday afternoon departure was found. Check the exact date before you book.
Lesbos: an overnight trip
Thessaloniki to Lesbos takes a little over 10 hours on average. When the ship departs on Sunday at 16:00, it reaches Mytilene early on Monday morning. In autumn, with a Saturday evening departure, you arrive on Sunday morning. Recorded fares range from about €36.50 to €115. The low end is for deck class and the high end for a cabin or a car.
Chios and Samos: the long routes
Chios is 13 to 18 hours away, depending on the schedule. Tickets start at around €36. Samos has two arrival ports, Vathy and Karlovasi. Journey times are roughly 16–20 hours to Vathy and over 17 hours to Karlovasi, with tickets from about €41. Chios and Samos are served by one sailing a week. In summer (June to mid-September) this is on Sunday, and for the rest of the year on Saturday. If you miss the ship, the next one is a week later.
For a short trip with flexible days, Lemnos and Lesbos are the most convenient. For Chios or Samos, plan on a weekend or a full week's holiday.
When to book
- Summer (July–August): book your ticket as early as you can, especially a cabin or a space for your vehicle. With one ship a week, sailings fill up quickly.
- May–June and September: there is usually availability a few weeks ahead. If you are taking a car, though, don't leave it to the last minute.
- Winter: the timetable is thinner and can change because of the weather. Check the dates a few days before you travel.
Deck, seat or cabin?
Because the crossings are overnight or long, your choice of accommodation matters. Deck tickets and airline-style seats are the budget options. On a journey of more than 10 hours, such as to Chios or Samos, a cabin makes sense, especially if you are travelling with children or starting activities on the island the next day. If you are bringing a car, sailing from Thessaloniki saves you a lot of driving, as you don't need to head south to Piraeus.
Practical tips
- Arrival in Lemnos is usually well after midnight or in the early hours. Arrange a transfer or car hire in advance.
- On Samos, check which port (Vathy or Karlovasi) your ship arrives at. The two ports are far apart, and the distance to your hotel will differ.
- The return sailing has a different time and day. Check both directions before you book either one.
- For a quick comparison, use the ferryfast.gr search with your preferred date. Availability and prices change constantly.
After you arrive
In Mytilene, Chios and Myrina the ports are close to the town centre, and taxis and car hire are easy to find. Samos needs more careful planning, as the island has long distances between Vathy, Karlovasi and the beaches. To explore beyond the port, a car or a scooter makes all the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Which islands can you reach by ferry from Thessaloniki?
Lemnos, Lesbos (Mytilene), Chios and Samos (Vathy and Karlovasi). The ship follows a single route and calls at the islands in turn. The operator is Blue Star Ferries.
How long is the ferry from Thessaloniki to Lesbos?
About 10 hours on average. With an evening departure you arrive in Mytilene in the morning, and with a 16:00 departure you arrive early the next morning.
How much is a ferry ticket from Thessaloniki to Chios or Samos?
As a guide, from about €36 to Chios and from about €41 to Samos, for the cheapest seat. Lemnos starts at about €23 and Lesbos from €36.50. A cabin and a car increase the total cost, so check the price for your date.
How many times a week does a ferry leave Thessaloniki?
For Chios and Samos there is one sailing a week: Sunday from June to mid-September and Saturday for the rest of the year. For Lemnos and Lesbos it depends on the season, usually 1–3 times a week.
Where do the ferries leave from in Thessaloniki?
From the passenger port, at the ‘Makedonia’ terminal of the Port of Thessaloniki. It is about 500 metres from the city centre and about 1 km from the railway station.
Where can I park if I leave my car at Thessaloniki port?
The port has car parks at the passenger terminal, at Gate 6 and at Gate 7. The last one (P3, 156 spaces) is open 24 hours with an hourly charge. The entrance is on 26th Oktovriou Street, opposite the Law Courts. For longer stays, ask about rates or look at private car parks near the port.
Can I get from Thessaloniki to the Cyclades or Crete by ferry?
Not directly. For the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese you need to travel to Piraeus or Rafina by car, coach or plane, and continue from there.
When should I book my ticket?
For July and August, as early as possible, especially for a cabin or a car, because there is only one ship a week. Outside peak season you can usually find a place even a few weeks before.